Guinean Singer Elie Kamano Claims Children, Family Members Kidnapped by Junta Forces
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Conakry, Guinea – On November 16, 2024, Guinean singer and exiled junta critic Elie Kamano publicly accused the head of the military junta, Mamadi Doumbouya, of orchestrating the nighttime kidnapping of his two children, nephew, and brother, a member of the gendarme. The incident has sparked political outrage and raised concerns about escalating repression under the current regime.
Details of the Kidnapping
According to Kamano, hooded men forcibly entered his home in Conakry during the night of November 15-16, 2024, and abducted the four family members. In a video posted to his Facebook page,Kamano directly appealed to Doumbouya,demanding the safe return of his children,stating they are uninvolved in his political opposition. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1368406264941211
Political Reaction and Government silence
As of November 17, 2024, Guinean authorities have not issued a public response to Kamano’s allegations. However, opposition figures have strongly condemned the kidnappings. Cellou Dalein Diallo, a prominent opponent of the junta, described the incident as a deliberate tactic to intimidate and target the families of government critics.The Forces vives de Guinée, a political collective, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of those abducted.
Pattern of Disappearances and Human Rights Concerns
This incident occurs within a broader context of alleged human rights abuses and enforced disappearances in Guinea since the 2021 military coup. In late September 2024, the father of a journalist critical of the regime was also reportedly kidnapped.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, reported in late September 2024 that at least ten individuals are currently missing following arrests by Guinean security forces. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/09/guinea-un-expert-concerned-about-increasing-repression-and-disappearances this suggests a worrying trend of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances under the military junta’s rule.
Current Status and Ongoing Investigation
As of today, November 17, 2024, the whereabouts of Kamano’s family members remain unknown, and no information regarding their captors has been released. The lack of transparency from the authorities is fueling concerns about their safety and well-being.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Guinea, and calls for a thorough and impartial investigation into these disappearances are growing. Further developments are expected as pressure mounts on the junta to address these serious allegations and uphold human rights standards.
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